The Two Creeks Hiking Trail – Kaapschehoop

Directions to The Two Creeks Hiking Trail

From Nelspruit, if you are on the Samora Machel Drive going out of town, turn left at the Robot into Kaapschehooop road at Tarentaal Shopping Centre. Keep driving on this road for about 28km until you reach the Berlin Plantation. Turn right at the Berlin Plantation sign onto a gravel road and continue on the gravel road for about 6km, following the signs to the Barretts Coaches.

Start

The Two Creeks Hiking Trail starts at Barretts Coaches

End

Circular route

Distance

39km over 3 days

Duration

2 nights/3days

Rating

Moderate to difficult

Permit

R105 per per night – please call Komatie Eco Tourism to make a booking on 013 754 2724.

Description

Day 1: Barretts Coaches to Wattles Hut – 15.3km

Your hike starts at Barretts Coaches and the trail then takes you down into the first ravine before crossing a stream. The vegetation changes from pine tree plantation to indigenous forest. Walk through the indigenous forest to the base of a cliff, before descending into the valley.

After walking through the valley you will walk along the edge of the cliff and enjoy beautiful views of the forest valley below. Along the cliffs, the trail descends through the rocks into the Starvation Creek Nature Reserve. This leads to the Starvation Creek Falls. The trail then takes you through more pine trees, crossing a wetland and a short path to the Wattles Hut in a patch of pine trees.

Day 2: Wattles to Kaapschehoop – 13.8km

On this day you will walk through pine and gum trees before climbing a rocky ledge to the top of the cliff. Follow the path until you reach a large forestry road. Continue walking on this road until you reach a grass slope, walk over the slope to a cliff. Walk along the edge of the cliff for a short distance before winding through some the rocky ledges onto grass. Continue until you reach the cemetery. The Kaapschehoop Hut is 500m from the parking area of Koek ‘n Pan restaurant.

Day 3: Kaapschehoop to Barretts Coaches – 9.8km

From the Kaapschehoop Hut, walk along the escarpment edge until you reach a rocky maze. Pass the cemetery then walk through pine trees and down a small gully toward Battery Creek Falls. Follow the trail along the creek. The trail joins a forestry path at a small weir and then goes through the pine trees to an old lookout. Follow the cliff edge until you enter a rocky plain. Once over the plain, the trail enters a patch of indigenous forest before climbing to a rocky outcrop that takes you to a forestry road and a dam. Barretts Coaches is only a few metres away.

Please Note

Winter evenings can be quite cold. You may only make fires in the designated areas provided. It has been said that it is safe to fill water bottles at streams and not stagnant water. Fire wood is provided for you at each camp. You must bring your own food and cooking utensils. There is no electricity at Kaapschehoop Hut. The donkey boiler will be lit for you at each hut.

Highlights

The internationally endangered Blue Swallow who nest in the disused mine shafts